Intro to luxury.

Giordana treated its entire line to a significant revamp for 2016, and its entry-level Fusion Men's Bib Shorts received trickle-down upgrades from the brand's higher-end pieces to make them an even more valuable piece than before. If you're working with a self-sponsored cyclist's budget or are just stepping into the world of cycling, we'd highly recommend the Fusion line, which has always felt more luxurious to us than its "entry level" classification from Giordana would suggest.

Italian Lycra constitutes the leg panels of the Fusion, which gives the shorts a form-fitting, contoured fit that will maintain its shape through hours spent pedaling in the saddle. It also skillfully wicks moisture away from your skin while you ride while supporting and stabilizing the muscles of your legs with zones of compression throughout the legs, rear, and sides — not a feature we often see in so-called "entry-level" kit.

Whether you're on a shop ride or heading out to try your luck on climbs you'd never thought you'd ride a bike up, the LoPro 45 elastic leg cuffs reliably keep each leg in place without pinching or chafing. The blend of LoPro 0 elastic and 190 Mesh used along the bib straps is just as unobtrusive. The straps lie flat and disappear under a jersey, noticeable only in their ability to facilitate faster moisture transfer from your skin.

If you're worried about how you're expected to be comfortable during hours spent riding on such a slim saddle, Giordana's Cirro chamois should assuage some of your fears. Heavily influenced by its higher-end relative, the Cirro S, the Cirro uses plush, strategically-arranged cushioning to provide you with a blend of support and relief in the saddle on a flexible, moisture-wicking foam lining. Your saddle may still take some getting used to, but the Cirro will help along the way.